Academic Policies

Academic Policies and Procedures

Hampton U Online enforces the academic policies and regulations of Hampton University and the Division of Continuing Studies. For Hampton University, these include the Release of Information Policy, the Academic Probation and Academic Dismissal policies, Learning Disabilities Documentation, and the Student Grievance Procedure, as printed in the General Information section of the Catalog. These also include the majority of policies listed in the Division of Continuing Studies section of Catalog. Specific policies and regulations that apply to Hampton U Online students are provided below for added emphasis.

Blackboard Tutorial

Online students are strongly encouraged to complete the Blackboard Tutorial before logging into your course. In this tutorial, students will learn how to access and navigate the Blackboard course delivery system to access online course content and how to use Blackboard tools for submitting assignments, electronic communications, and tools used in taking online surveys and tests.

Registration

Students must consult with their academic advisors to obtain their Personal Pin Number (PIN) and a Registration Advisement number in order to access the HUNET online registration system. Students must complete the online registration process in order to be officially enrolled in a course. This includes course schedule changes (adding or dropping a course or changing a course section number, etc.).

Add/Drop Policy

The official period in which courses may be added and/or dropped begins the first day of the session and ends on the fifth day of the session.

Dropping a Class

A student must complete and sign a Division of Continuing Studies “Add/Drop” Form. This form must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. Student must also drop the class online to finalize the drop process. The student is entitled to a full refund of tuition when a class is dropped in accordance with the instructions above.

Adding a Class

A student must complete and sign a Division of Continuing Studies "Add/Drop" Form. This form must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. Student must also add the class online to complete the add process. The student will receive a statement of additional tuition due when a class is added except in a case where the student drops and adds classes of equal credit value.

Grade Status

A student must also process a Add/Drop Form when changing grade status, (e.g., audit, regular grading,) and must process an Add/Drop Form to receive the new choice of grading. All changes in grading status must be processed within the period designated for Add/Drop.

Withdrawal

Once registered and the Add/Drop date has passed, students may withdraw from a course or courses up until the last day of classes prior to final examination week. No student may withdraw from a course during final examination week. Students who want to withdraw from a course or courses must obtain a withdrawal formfrom the Division of Continuing Studies, and must ensure that all required signatures appear on the form. Completed withdrawal forms must be submitted to the Division of Continuing Studies registrar’s office before the end of the academic session. Students will receive either a “WP” or a “WF”.

Withdrawal Policy

The withdrawal period begins at the close of the Add/Drop period and ends at the end of the 8th week of classes. Withdrawal means that the student will cease to attend class(es) and is no longer considered enrolled in that class or in those classes. A student must complete a Withdrawal Form and obtain the following approvals:1. Instructor2. Department Chairperson/Program Coordinator, or Advisor The student’s records will reflect a “WP” Withdrew Passing or “WF” Withdrew Failing entry for each course from which the student withdraws. Students cannot withdraw during final exam week. A student who withdraws from a class is not entitled to a refund.

Transfer Credits

Transfer credit can only be posted to the student’s record if the student is currently registered when the transaction is received in the Registrar’s Office, Division of Continuing Studies. The student is responsible for having an official transcript mailed to his or her academic advisor when the work has been completed. Credit hours will be awarded for approved courses carrying a letter grade of “C” or better. No credit will be awarded for courses with grades of “C-” or less. The appropriately approved, posted transaction will appear on the student’s record when the current term is completed and thegrades are processed. The cumulative grade point average of each student will be calculated on courses taken at Hampton University. All credits earned at other institutions, including those earned by studentsseeking re-entry to the University, as well as those with approved permission to take courses at another institution, will be treated/classified as transfer credits. They may be used to reduce the number of hours required for graduation. However, they will not be used in calculating the cumulative grade pointaverage.

Good Academic Standing

Students whose cumulative averages are equal to or greater than the average for their tenure and who have met their financial obligations, and whose conduct is in keeping with the standards of membership in the university will be considered in good academic standing. Students in good academic standingare entitled to continue registration and class attendance and are eligible to apply for a degree upon completion of the necessary requirements. Continued enrollment in the Division of Continuing Studies is a privilege, which will be granted as long as the student meets the following criteria:1. The student has maintained a cumulative average of 2.00 or better.2. The student is not in violation of the Academic Honesty Code.3. The student has fulfilled the attendance requirements for each course.4. The student has demonstrated significant personal growth in each course attempted.5. The student is not in violation of the University Code of Conduct.

Satisfactory Progress

Any student enrolled as a regular degree student who maintains the cumulative average required by regulations and is enrolled in at least twelve (12) semester hours of course work each semester shall be considered to be maintaining satisfactory progress toward a degree. As an exception, a student’s cumulative grade-point average may fall below 2.0, but not less than the minimum set forth below for the number of quality hours attempted during which time he or she shall be placed on academic probation. Failure to achieve the required minimum cumulative grade-point average in the following semester, the probationary student is subject to dismissal.

Academic Honesty Code

All students are expected to maintain their personal conduct in a manner above reproach. Therefore, a student is in jeopardy of severe disciplinary action for committing one of the following violations:

Cheating

A student is considered to be cheating if, in the opinion of the person administering the examination/test (written or oral), the student gives, seeks or receives aid during the process of the examination/test; buys, sells, steals, or otherwise possesses or transmits an examination/test without authorization; substitutes for another or permits substitution for himself during an examination/test; or allows others to conduct research or to prepare any work without advance authorization from the instructor. The prohibition includes (but is not limited to) commercial term paper companies and files of past papers.

Fabrication

A student must not intentionally falsify or invent any information or citation in an academic exercise.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is defined as "taking and using as one's own, the written ideas of another." A student must not intentionally adopt or reproduce ideas, words, or statements of another person without acknowledgement. Students must give due credit to the originality of others and honestly pay their literary debts and acknowledge indebtedness:A. Whenever quoting another person’s actual words.B. Whenever using another person’s ideas, opinion, or theory.C. Whenever borrowing facts, statistics, or other illustrativematerial - unless the information is common knowledge.

Student Course Load

The maximum course load for a Hampton U Online student following the eight week session schedule is 6 semester hours per session (12 credit hours within a semester). Students following the 16 week semester schedule are allowed to take up to nine (9) credit hours. Only under compelling circumstances may a student, with the approval of his or her advisor and Dean, be granted an exception to this policy; however, such student must have at least a 3.5 GPA, or be a candidate for graduation. Exceptions will be on a case-by-case basis and advisors must show cause for this exception.

Academic Warning

An academic warning notice is sent to the student if his or her semester grade point average is below 2.000, but his or her cumulative grade point average is 2.000 or higher. A student may be placed on probation or be dismissed without any other warning than a grade point average near or below 2.000.

Academic Dismissal

Dismissal for academic deficiencies results when a student does not meet the minimum academic standard. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.000 is the standard, but there is a sliding scale standard rising to 2.000 at 63 semester hours attempted. The purpose of the rising sliding scale standard is to allow time for the insufficiently prepared student to make up deficiencies in academic preparation for college work. Students who maintain a cumulative grade point average at or just above 2.000 place themselves in jeopardy of being dismissed without any other warning any time their semester average drops below 2.000. Students who have been dismissed for academic deficienciesmay not apply for admission to the Division of Continuing Studies until they have obtained and presented evidence of increased academic maturity. Academic courses taken at another institution to be presented as evidence of increased academic maturity should not be those previously attempted.

Appeal of Academic Dismissal

There is no appeal of a dismissal for academic deficiency if the student’s cumulative grade point average is below the minimum standards for continuance unless the student suspects an error in calculation of his or her grade point average, or the student has had a recent medical or other emergency that has prevented satisfactory completion of a course or courses. An appeal based upon suspected is calculation of one’s grade point average is addressed to the Registrar, Division of Continuing Studies.

Writing Competency Examination Policy

The Writing Competency Examination measures the mastery of basic writing skills (English grammar, spelling, punctuation and ability to write a logical essay.) This examination is administered to all students who have accumulated at least 30 semester hours. The cost for taking the examination is $25.00. Students failing to successfully pass the Writing Competency Examination are required to re-take the examination during the next scheduled test date. Students failing the re-take examination will be required to enroll in a non-credit English 100 Fundamental Writing course. Successful completion of this examination is a graduation requirement.

Comprehensive Examination Policy

The Comprehensive Examination measures the student’s mastery of key components of his/her academic major. Thisexamination will be administered at the Division of Continuing Studies three times a year, once in the fall, spring and summer. The cost of the Comprehensive Examination is $50.00. Students are eligible to retake the examination at one month intervals if they receive an unsatisfactory score. There is no charge for the first retake of the examination. Successful completion of this examination is a graduation requirement.